Dear Members
The carcase data contributions have continued to come together. I have now collated over 15,000 MSA carcase records. This volume of data now allows me to benchmark the performance of the contributed Hereford and Hereford cross carcase records across all traits. I will share some of the aggregated results next month so we can review what we are doing really well, where we can find improvements and look to set some targets as we move forward. A big thank you to all contributors to date and I am open to receiving as much data as anyone is willing to contribute. Having this data is enabling me to have more meaningful conversations with commercial companies as I have data and evidence to support my claims around eating quality outcomes delivered by Hereford cattle.
April provided a number of great opportunities to showcase the Hereford breed. Sydney show was a particular highlight with the quality of cattle on display creating such a positive atmosphere around the ring. Having over 100 exhibits also showed the depth of quality across all classes. Herefords Australia supported a casual social function in the shed after the show and it was such a good atmosphere between exhibitors which I don’t know that other breeds can replicate. Congratulations to all exhibitors as you should be very proud of the showcase you delivered on behalf of the breed.
Herefords Australia sponsored the Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) program event held in Rockhampton where over 120 participants took part in the program. The participants are a mix of tertiary students and corporate company teams who take part in a series of workshops and a meat judging competition. I had the opportunity to present to the participants, host a panel session of industry leaders and present a bull selection session at the Gracemere saleyards with Dr Peter McGilchrist who runs meat science at UNE. Ambrose Kenney and I then represented HAL at a careers expo where a number of commercial companies set up booths for the participants to interact with. We were able to promote our youth program and our scholarships. The event provided additional benefit as I was able to meet with senior management of several commercial businesses who are key customers of Hereford producers including Coles, JBS, Teys, Kilcoy, Smithfield as well as agency representatives, transport company staff and researchers from several universities. The competition was taken out by the team from Kilcoy Global Foods that included Herefords Australia Youth president Alicia Trovatello.
Herefords Australia also supported the Hereford feature show held at Kempsey. A Hereford bull took out the supreme exhibit of the show which was a great result! Thank you to the members in attendance, Steph Archibald and I appreciated your hospitality.
At this time of year I would like to thank the hardworking HAL staff as we prepare for Wodonga and the HAL AGM, finalise the entries for the upcoming Youth Expo with record numbers of entries, finalise the Winter edition of the magazine, continue to drive our reach through social media as well as continue to provide our core member services through our office. We are here for our membership and have a great team to support everything you need.
